the elegant 5 star Corobici Hotel which has a spa, pool and 3 class "A" restaurants. Enjoy and evening on your own in San Jose or in the Hotel's Casino. Your guides will be available in the lobby lounge for social time, & meet Leo Jones, our Costa Rican Chief Guide, & escort extraordinaire.

DAY TWO:
Buenos dias amigos. Arise at 7:00am; have a lovely breakfast pool side; check out; board our bus; tour Barillo Corillo National Forest & Banana Plantation on way to the jungle port of Matina & lunch brook side at Rio Dante. Meet our river boat; tour 2 hours up river through the most beautiful jungles; arriving at the world famous Mawamba Lodge; It sits right on the very beach where giant green sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs (in season) and home to the trails the Discovery Channel uses for their Costa Rica Documentaries. After check-in, relax with a dip in the pool or snoop around. At 3:30 we board our flat bottom boats, & tour canals with anticipation of spotting red macaws, toucans, yellow tails and giant blue herons, many monkeys and large croc's. Return at 5:00pm and relax until happy hour at 6:00. Dinner is at 7:00 the way grandma served it. Sleep is easy in this tropical paradise. Buenos noches amigos. (Day 2 option: Giant tarpon fishing is available). Leo is available to assist you always.

DAY THREE: Those who are adventurous awake at 5:30am for a dawn nature walk through the rain forest as she comes to life. It's absolutely breathtaking. Birds, by the thousands screaming hello to a new day & big Howler Monkeys barking greetings as we gaze in awe. We amble back to the lodge at 8:30 for breakfast & greet those who slept in. 10:30, we nature walk through the rain forest and around Tortuguero Peak. This 500-yard walk is leisurely and easy. But for those wishing to stretch a leg; it's over the mountain we go. Lunch & laze around the Lodge until 3:00; then tour the local Village to deliver gifts of clothing and school supplies brought from home. This is a real high point, to visit the Tico's as they live. Beach comb back to the lodge or for those who wish can return by boat. (Same schedule for happy hour and dinner) After dinner it's evening on the beach stargazing & in season an optional turtle watching tour. The cost is $10.00, which goes to the local Conservation Association to assist the preservation of these giants of the Sea.


DAY FOUR: Up for breakfast by 7:00 and we boat down river to meet our bus; have lunch riverside then tour the central highlands to Arenal Volcano; arriving at Las Cabinitas at 3:00. This day will show the greatly divers topography and eco-systems of Costa Rica. Many say this region is much like Europe. Settle in our gorgeous cabins with their native hardwood floors & tile roof then gather poolside to view the volcano, which erupts about every 25 minutes. With cozy porch and rocking chairs, you get a spectacular view; those who like it a little on the strenuous side may join us for a hike down an extinct volcanic caldera for a dip in a pool beneath 150' waterfall. This is very refreshing but quite a climb. For those who don't dare may stay at the pool or, for $3.00 taxi fare to the Tabacon Spa which charges an $8.00 admission. Mud baths and facials are available by appointment. This elegant side trip is well worth it. The grounds are an exotic botanical garden, heated by streams coming directly from the volcano; the water is about 100 degrees. Gather for dinner at 7:00 & afterwards drive close to the volcano for a spectacular view. (By now we are a very tight friendly group.)

DAY FIVE: Awake to the cool mountain air; breakfast at 8:00am then board the bus for a breathtaking 2 hour drive to the Pacific Ocean and the absolutely fabulous Fiesta Resort. The all-inclusive spa has everything & you have but to snap your fingers for poolside cocktails or food. Right on the ocean; this afternoon is water sports, or just relax (optional shopping spree to town). The Resort spa has 3 pools, fishing pier, casino, disco and beautiful manicured grounds that will ease you into a spectacular Costa Rican sunset. Dinner is served under the giant 80' thatched roofed palapa with it's wondrous board of fare. The pasta bar & buffet has over 6 entrees and a desert barge to die for. Evening fun is dancing in the disco with our guide Leo or into town for nightlife.

DAY SIX: Breakfast under the palapa & at 8:15am board the bus for a 10 minute ride to the dock and cruz to Isla Tortuga aboard the 77' Catamaran Manta Raya. This is a memorable day at a private Island refuge off the Pacific coast. We often see dolphins, tuna, sailfish, & turtles on our 1-1/2 hour trip. Spend the day snorkeling, beach combing, and hiking or just relax in a hammock hung between towering palms swaying in the breeze. Then its back to the mainland, hop the bus back to San Jose arriving at the Corobici Hotel at 7:30. This evening is dinner on your own. We will suggest some social or cultural "musts" for your entertainment.

DAY SEVEN: Breakfast poolside, some last minute shopping then we check-out at 11:45am; transfer to the airport and it's adios to beautiful, exotic and wonderful Costa Rica. This will be a memorable trip - one never to be forgotten.